Dynamic intervertebral spacer implant

Abstract

Intervertebral spacer implants with dynamic load spreading features responsive to external loads and having attachment mechanisms. The dynamic load spreading features having a native state and a loaded state, which complements vertebral end plate geometry and disperses load to the epiphyseal rim.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of fusing first and second adjacent vertebral bodies, each vertebral body having concave endplates facing each other, the method comprising:
 inserting a spinal spacer into an intervertebral space between the first and second vertebral bodies adjacent the concave endplates on the first and second vertebral bodies, the implant comprising a body having a generally central axis and a centralized aperture extending through the body near the centralized axis; 
 the body further comprising:
 a first side having a first side perimeter and defining a first plane, an opposed second side having a second side perimeter and defining a second plane; 
 the first side perimeter connected at a first edge with a perimeter wall; 
 the second side perimeter connected at a second edge with the perimeter wall, wherein the perimeter wall separates the first side and second side; and 
 wherein the first side further comprises at least one lobe extending from the first perimeter toward the generally central axis; and 
 
 allowing the first and second vertebral bodies to converge creating a load on the implant, the at least one lobe engaging with one of the concave endplates so that the at least one lobe deflects to a degree commensurate with an increasing load. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is in a first native state prior to the inserting step and the implant transitions to a second loaded state after the first and second vertebral bodies are allowed to converge. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein in the second loaded state, the at least one lobe is deflected toward a central plane in the implant. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one lobe further comprises a base adjacent the first side perimeter, an end region, and a terminus; and wherein when the implant transitions to the second loaded state the base, the end region and the terminus are adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lobe further comprises a base adjacent the perimeter, an end region, and a terminus. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein when the first and second vertebral bodies are allowed to converge, the end region is adapted to deflect relative to the base. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein when the first and second vertebral bodies are allowed to converge, the terminus is adapted to deflect relative to the base. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the base has a first width and the end region has a second width, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
       9. A method of fusing first and second adjacent vertebral bodies, each vertebral body having concave endplates facing each other, the method comprising:
 inserting a spinal spacer into an intervertebral space between the first and second vertebral bodies adjacent the concave endplates on the first and second vertebral bodies, the implant comprising a body having a generally central axis and a centralized aperture extending through the body near the centralized axis; 
 the body further comprising:
 a first side having a first side perimeter and defining a first plane, 
 the first side perimeter connected at a first edge with a perimeter wall; 
 the first side comprising at least one lobe extending from the first perimeter toward the generally central axis; and 
 
 allowing the first and second vertebral bodies to converge creating a load on the implant, so that the at least one lobe engages with one of the concave endplates; wherein the at least one lobe is adapted to deflect to a degree commensurate with the load. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lobe is adapted to deflect toward a second side of the body, opposite the first side. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first side defines a first plane and the second side defines a second plane. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one lobe is adapted to deflect toward the first plane when the first and second bodies converge. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lobe further comprises a base adjacent to and extending from the first perimeter and an end region extending away from the base toward the generally central axis and ends at a terminus. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the base has a first thickness and the end region has a second thickness. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the base requires a greater load to deflect than required by the end region. 
     
     
       16. A method of engaging first and second adjacent vertebral bodies, each vertebral body having concave endplates facing each other, the method comprising:
 inserting a spinal spacer into an intervertebral space between the first and second vertebral bodies, wherein the first and second vertebral bodies are in a first separated state;
 wherein the spinal spacer comprises at least one cantilever extending from a first location on a perimeter of a body toward a centralized aperture extending through the body; 
 
 allowing the first and second vertebral bodies to converge to a second neutral state; wherein in the second neutral state one of the first or second concave endplates engage with the cantilever and the cantilever is adapted to deflect toward the other of the first or second concave endplates. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one cantilever further comprises a base adjacent to and extending from the perimeter and an end region extending away from the base toward the generally central axis and ends at a terminus. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the base has a first width and the end region has a second width, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the base has a first thickness and the end region has a second thickness. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the base requires a higher load than the end region to deflect toward the other of the first or second concave endplates.